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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 25 cities in Iowa
Mostly yes. None of the 24 Iowa water systems we grade from EPA records has a health-based violation in the last five years, and the state averages 96/100 (8 above the national 88). Lead from a home's own plumbing is the risk city data cannot see.
Iowa's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 24 Iowa water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 96/100 — 8 points above the U.S. national average of 88/100. 83% of graded Iowa cities (20 of 24) score above that national benchmark, and 20 earn a Grade A. None has a health-based EPA violation in the last five years. 1 city is not graded because we have not yet matched it to an EPA water system.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Iowa water systems are nitrates (fertilizer and manure runoff), atrazine and other herbicides (row-crop agriculture) and bacteria (shallow rural wells). See the full breakdown in our Iowa water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Iowa
246,055 residents
142,364 residents
76,207 residents
73,959 residents
68,753 residents
64,447 residents
45,605 residents
40,713 residents
27,680 residents
25,874 residents
24,897 residents
23,276 residents
22,318 residents
55,177 residents
27,338 residents
41,623 residents
25,529 residents
69,504 residents
26,015 residents
24,769 residents
147,720 residents
59,667 residents
25,516 residents
85,791 residents
39,102 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
Iowa's water quality is shaped overwhelmingly by agriculture. As one of the most intensively farmed states in the country, Iowa faces persistent challenges with nitrate runoff from corn and soybean fields and livestock operations. Many public systems, especially those drawing from the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, must treat for elevated nitrates, and Des Moines Water Works operates one of the largest nitrate-removal facilities in the world.
Across the 24 Iowa cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 96/100. The highest-rated city is Des Moines with a score of 100/100, while Sioux City has the most room for improvement at 72/100.
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Iowa communities draw from a mix of surface water (the Des Moines, Raccoon, Iowa, and Cedar rivers) and alluvial and deep bedrock aquifers including the Jordan and Dakota aquifers. Roughly 80% of Iowans rely on groundwater, but the largest cities such as Des Moines and Cedar Rapids depend heavily on river water that is vulnerable to seasonal nitrate spikes.
These contaminants have been detected in various Iowa water systems
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources administers the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and runs Iowa's source water protection programs. Iowa has invested in nitrate monitoring and voluntary agricultural conservation practices through its Nutrient Reduction Strategy, though nitrate remains the state's defining water quality issue.
Nitrate is the central health concern in Iowa, as levels above 10 mg/L can cause methemoglobinemia ('blue baby syndrome') in infants and have been studied for links to certain cancers. Families with infants should be especially cautious in agricultural areas and with private wells. Shallow rural wells are also vulnerable to bacterial contamination after heavy rain.
Iowa residents on private wells should test annually for nitrate and bacteria, and more often after flooding. For nitrate removal, reverse osmosis or anion-exchange systems are effective; standard carbon pitcher filters do not remove nitrate. Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report during spring and early summer when river nitrate levels typically peak.
Most Iowa cities we grade have tap water in good standing with EPA. With an average score of 96/100 across 24 graded cities, Iowa generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by utility, so check your specific city's report.
The most common water quality concerns in Iowa include nitrates (fertilizer and manure runoff), atrazine and other herbicides (row-crop agriculture), bacteria (shallow rural wells). These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. Most Iowa cities have water that meets EPA standards, though some residents prefer additional filtration for taste or extra protection. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Iowa are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Iowa water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Iowa. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Iowa city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
On EPA records, Des Moines has the highest water quality score in Iowa at 100/100 (Grade A). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Iowa page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Iowa are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area